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Compilers

ANDREW B. CAREY is a research wildlife 

CHAPPELL. ROBERT KUNTZ, and PAUL 

nicians, U.S. Department of Agriculture, F

west Research Station, 3625 93d Avenue 

VALEN E. CASTELLANO, is a wildlife bio

Corvallis, OR 973313803; RICHARD W. 

gist, Raedeke Associates, 4108 Stone Wa

NELSON is a graduate student, Oregon C

Unit, Oregon State University, Corvallis, O

MARCOT, is a wildlife biologist, U.S. Dep

Service, Mount Hood National Forest, Gre
‘I

Forests

Andrew B. Carey

Valen E. Castellano

Christopher Chappell

Robert Kuntz

Richard W. Lundquist

Bruce G. Marcot

S. Kim Nelson

Paul Sullivan

Technical Compilers

Pacific Northwest Research Sta

Forest Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Portland, Oregon

General Technical Report, PNW

June 1990
: I

,‘. ;,

I_

,./ ,

I .

I

cation in Pacific Northwest Douglas-

GTR-260. Portland, OR: U.S. Depar

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 

Bird calls and songs vary regionally, an

sounds. Existing guides are inadequate 

detailed surveys of bird communities, b

birds detected are identified by the sou

This guide summarizes existing guides 

compilers and other technicians who p

Four-letter codes for species names, ta

gists’ Union, are included. A checklist 

Oregon Cascade Range, Oregon Coas

California) of birds found in Douglas-fir 

Franco) forests west of the crest of the 

guide.

Keywords: Bird calls, Pacific Northwes
This training guide was developed, in part, d

bird communities in the Oregon Coast Rang

guide was adequate for training field crews. 

a first draft by using a guide developed by B

Paul Sullivan and Robert Kuntz then expand

Christopher Chappell added material to cove

southern Washington.

The usefulness of the guide is in the written 

unencumbered (as much as possible) by su

should be used as a dictionary. And it shoul

field guides and recordings of bird calls and 

to the region should be used whenever poss

taxonomic order to be compatible with field 

descriptions refer to references cited on page

species is included to further aid the novice 

the process of elimination and to aid the ex

occurrences of birds.
() () 

sounds are credited to authors of field guides or to 

parenthetical codes that follow the text (see Literat

Osprey (OSPR)1

N: 1. A melodious series of whistles, CHEWK-C

1 a rising series of shrill whistles given sing

! WHEW-WHEW-WHEW-WHI-WHI-WHI (F

&w~&z* :( 2. A ringing alarm call, KIP-KIP-KIP-KIWEE

-. _, ’ 11 I

-.:;,.: 4. ‘li, Northern Goshawk (NOGO)

I

‘/

I/

!

-.

s

!

I

1

:, Z.’

.

._~,, . . .._~_j ‘. .

_.

T: Nest-defense call is a series of short high KAK

shriller, more forceful than Cooper’s Hawk, wit

“bat” (FO).

N: 1. Food-begging call is a high-pitched gull lik

sometimes uttered repeatedly about once 

2. A loud KYOW (FO).

Warning: Gray and Steller’s jays can expertly imita

tions: visual verification of NOGO in a stand is rec

Cooper’s Hawk (COHA)

T: A rapid KE-KE-KE, etc., suggests flicker (P); l

shrill than goshawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk, 

A-sound as in “about” (FO).

N: A high-pitched PEE-A, PEE-A, PEE-A (L).

Sharp-shinned Hawk (SSHA)

T: A high, shrill KIK-KIK-KIK, etc. (P,H), sometim

(FO); higher pitched than Cooper’s Hawk, les

(FO).

N: Juveniles utter a shrill WREE, WREE, WREE 

in pitch (FO).

Red-tailed Hawk (RTHA)

T: 1. An asthmatic squeal KEEER-R-R-R slurre

hoarse, rasping scream, TSEE-EEEE-ARR

onds (H).

2. Juveniles give a hoarse REE, REE, REE 

ascending in pitch (FO).

1

 English names follow American

Ornithologists’ Union 1983.
()

2. Variety of wails and whining cries during 

Peregrine Falcon (PEFA)

N: 1. A rapid, rasping KEK-KEK-KEK, KE-EK, 

HAK HAK (F).

2. A round eyrie, a repeated WE-CHEW (P

3. A variety of wails and crys during breed

American Kestrel (AMKE)

N: 1. A rapid high KLEE KLEE KLEE or KILL

2. During courtship, a variety of whining cr

3. CHUCK-CHUCK-CHUCK (H).

Blue Grouse (BLGR)

T: Series of 5 to 7 low, muffled, booming or ho

octave lower than a Great Horned Owl, vent

a quality suggesting the sound of a large roc

water (FO).

N: Clucking and cackling by female (F).

Ruffed Grouse (RUGR)

T: Drumming is a hollow-toned, low-pitched, ac

beats made with the wings, suggests a moto

thumping starts slowly, accelerating into a w

BUP...BUP..BUP.BUP.UP.R-RRR (P).

N: 1. Series of sharp notes when alarmed on 

2. Assorted, seldom-heard clucks and hiss

3. A loud CHUCK (F).

California Quail (CAQU)

T: 1. Three-syllable call, QUA-QUER-GO or W

CHICAGO with middle syllable accente

2. A loud KERR or TWERK (P); a single C

N: 1. A soft PIT-PIT-PIT, etc., in flocking (L).

2. Light clucking notes (P).

Mountaln Quail (MOW)

T: A loud, mellow cry WOOK? or TO-WOOK? 

owl-like hoot, if close, actually 2 notes, not 

delivered as the pygmy-owl’s, given at 4-to 

hollow quality (FO).

N: 1. A hollow, mellow POCK, POCK, POCK

FO).

. . . . . , -- . . .
1

,. ‘,

..:

N: 1.

2.

Gobbling of male like a domestic turke

3.

Alarm, PITI or PUT-PUTI (P).

Flock call, KEOW-KEOW (P).

4. Hen clucks to brood (P).

Marbled Murrelet (MAMU)

N: 1. Flight call a sharp KEER-KEER (U); tw

2.

unbroken, flutelike notes no more than 

Fuzzy or soft calls at presumed nestin

Sand-tailed Plgeon (BTPI)

T: Low-pitched, two-toned cooing, WHOO-WH

several times in succession (F); lower in pit

N:

area except Flammulated Owl (FO).

1. A soft, rather high-pitched rapid chirrin

(FO).

2. A loud, regular flapping of wings as th

perch (FO).

Mourning Dove (MODO)

T: Hollow, mournful OOAH, COOO, COO, CO

audible at a distance (P); with sharply risin

syllable, all other notes on same pitch but 

in pitch at end of each (F).

Western Screech-Owl (WSOW)

T: Series of hollow whistles on one pitch, sep

running into a tremulo (like the rhythm of a 

standstill) (P).

N: 1. Two-syllable, trilled whistle PDDDD, P

descending in pitch (FO).

2.

3.

A harsh, squeaky EEKIT, EEKIT (L).

Juveniles give a nasal WAYH, WAYH

each succeeding note lower in pitch, 

pecker (FO).

2Personal communication, Ft. Gutierrez,

College of Natural Resources, Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 95521.

.---- -_-___-.___

:

- . .

‘. .__

. i_ .
intervals of 2 to 3 seconds (P); voiced, not 

Band-tailed Pigeon (FO).

Great Horned Owl (GHOW)

T: A resonant hooting of 3 to 8 notes, males 

HOO. females HOO, HOO-HOO-HOO, HO

deeper and lower than Spotted or Barred O

N: A wide variety of screams, hoots, catlike m

Barred Owl (BAOW)

T: 1. Hooting more emphatic than that of a 

deep, usually 8 hoots in 2 groups of 4

HOO-HOO-HOOHOOAW (P); WHO-C

COOKS-FOR-YOUALL (S). 

2. Occasionally a long series of hoots an

Spotted Owl (SPOW)

T: 1. High-pitched hooting, like barking of a 

3, HOO-HOO, HOOO, or four, HOO, 

last note drawn out and descending in 

in pitch (FO).

2. A rising inflection of WHOO, WHOO, 

HOOT-HOOT, HOO-HOOT-HOOT, cut 

with a descending HOOOO.

N: 1. A shrill KRE-ICK! KRE-ICK! (FO).

2. A. whistle that rises most abruptly at e

WHEEE-ET! or COOO-WEEP! (FO):

3. A crowlike bark KHAW, KHAW KHAW 

Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSOW) ” 

T: A mellow whistled note repeated mechanic

sion, usually 100 to 130 times per minute, 

higher pitched and faster than pygmy-owl 

N: 1. An upslurred whistle (U).

2. A raspy call like the sound of a saw b

Northern Pygmy-Owl (NPOW)

T: 1. A single, mellow whistle, HOO, repeat

2 seconds (P); may be confused with 

squirrel call from afar; may be mimick

2. A rolling series, ending with 2 to 3 de

TOO-TOO-TOO-TOO-TOO-TOO-TOOK

followed or preceded by single whistle 

N: A thin rattle around the nest (U); high pitch

of Brown Creeper but with a slight roll or 

4
a sudden deep whir (P).

N: A nasal PEENT or PEE-IK (P); strongly acce

end of note (FO).

aux’s Swift (VASW)

: 1. A feeble chipping call (P); a soft high-p

ing; single notes of simliar quality, can b

short notes of Goldencrowned Kinglet o

2. Rapid repeated series of staccato chips 

end (FO).

Black Swift (BLSW)

N: A sharp PLIK-PLIK-PLIK, etc. (P); TWIT, TW

Allen’s Hummingbird (ALHU)

T: Nearly identical to sounds of Rufous Hummi

part of display flight, an air-splitting VRRRIP 

N: Calls identical to Rufous; wing buzz of adult 

higher pitched than Rufous (F).

Rufous Hummingbird (RUHU)

T: A strident, stuttered, V-V-V-V-VVRIP at botto

(P); stutteredcharacter precedes sound at bo

N: Similar to Allen’s.

1. A sharp BZEE (R).

2. Squeaks and light chips (P).

3. An excited ZEEEE CHUPPITY-CHUP (

4. Wing buzz of male Rufous and Allen’s 

ZZ-ZZZ quality, unlike other hummers, l

Anna’s Hummingbird (ANHU)

T: 1. Male’s song is a jumble of high squeaks 

series of squeaking, grating notes (P); 

mingbird with a real song (from perch) (

2. Diving in aerial display, a sharp popping 

its dive (P).

3. Chase call is a rapid dry rattling (S).

N: A sharp CHICK (S).

Calliope Hummingbird (CAHU)

T: A brief PFFT in display flight (P); a very high 

pitched PFFFT-TEEWWWW with the second 

pitch (FO).

- 7 ___

_I_----

_ ;

1 :-

._ i
(FO).

2. A loud WICK WICK WICK, usually re

(P); 6 notes per second, similar to P

sharper, higher pitched and somewha

sometimes slow or soften at end (FO

N: 1. A single, loud KLEEEOO, very sharp

a loud KLEE-YER (P).

2. A squeaky FLICK-A FLICK-A FLICK-A 

(FO).

3. A guttural flutter call, sounds like win

perch (FO).

Pileated Woodpecker (PIWO)

T: 1. Drumming very loud, slow, softer at e

2. A fast KEK KEK KEK, usually repeat

to flicker, but lower, louder and richer

pitch or speed at end but ends abrup

N: Variable, long WUK-WUK-WUK series, slo

described as KUK or KEK, series often c

speed (FO).

Acorn Woodpecker (ACWO)

T: Constant, rhythmic drumming (FO).

N: WHACK-UP, WHACK-UP, WHACK-UP (P

WANKA WANKA WANKA, etc., a “laughi

nasalquality chatter (FO).

Lewis’ Woodpecker (LEWO)

T: Drums weakly (F).

N: A harsh CHURR (F,L) or CHEE-UR (P).

Red-breasted Sapsucker (RBSA)

T: Drumming is several rapid thumps followe

(P); not a constant rhythm, spurts of 3 to 

between, starts with long series, ends wit

“always gives the nail one last tap” (FO).

N: 1. A nasal mewing note or squeal, CH

(P), CHEE-AA (F).

2. CHUR or QUARR, given in series (F

6
does not descend in pitch (FO).

3. WICK-A (F); squeaky short series o

flicker (FO).

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Downy Woodpecker (DOWO)

T: Drumming is like Hairy Woodpecker but 

N: 1. A flat PICK, not as sharp or loud as 

2. A rapid whinny of notes, descending 

than Hairy’s notes quicken toward e

Black-backed Woodpecker (BBWO)

T: Drumming increases in tempo toward en

N: A sharp KIK or CHIK, also in series (P), 

(U).

White-headed Woodpecker (WHWO)

T: Drumming is a short, even series (U).

N: 1. A sharp CHICK, sometimes rapidly 

(P); most common is two-noted PE

Woodpecker (FO).

2. A rattle similar to Downy’s (P) and 

Willow Flycatcher (WIFL)

T: A sneezy FITZ-BEW (P).

N: 1. A liquid WIT(N) or WHIP (FO).

2. A rising BREEET (N).

Hammond’s Flycatcher (HAFL)

T: SEPUT, PZRRRT, TREEIP (R); very em

burry, without clear slides, SEBIT! DJU

(sequence varies) (F); resembles Dusky 

more emphatic (S); middle note almost 

heavier or rougher quality (FO).

N: 1. A short, sharp CLICK or PIC, recog

but only one syllable (FO).

2. WHIT (P.U); suggests Yellow-rump

3. TWEEP (P) or HEEP (F). sometime

50 to 60 per minute (FO).

-.‘.*:Y _-: .:-.-‘
2. A diagnostic call is a mournful, sharp 

WHIP!, number of both note types var

or DU DU-HIC, the HIC being higher 

(FO)

N: 1. Soft WHIT (R,F); very similar to Hamm

2. A two-syllable SEE-LICK, recognizable 

Western Flycatcher (WEFL)

T: PSEET-TRIP-SEET? (P); high, thin, squea

notes PE-SEE! PIT-TIC, SEE (F); a series 

TSEE-DICK, TSEEP, TSEE-EET, last note 

repeated several times, sequence varies, h

sharper, cleaner quality than Hammond’s 

(FO).

N: 1. A sharp, lisping PSEET? with rising in

whistled SEE-0-WHEET, the last sylla

(FO); the male position call (D).

2. A sharp, metallic CHIP or TING (L); o

between pauses of 1 second or more 

call (D).

3. A soft, but explosive, liquid roll of a n

repeated 2 to 5 times in fairly rapid su

Western Wood-Pewee (WWPE)

T: A slurred HEE-ZA-WIP, PUR-DEE, rises o

on the second (L); a mixture of TSWEE-T

descending PEEER notes (N); rolling thre

accented on first and third notes, followed 

note (FO).

N: 1. A nasal, PEEEER (P); a burry, desce

every 5 to 10 seconds (F).

2. A nasal, slightly burry ZHUWEE or P

often repeated monotonously about on

similar to ZUWEEP of Hutton’s Vireo 

slightly longer in duration, less sharp, 

(FO).

Olive-sided Flycatcher (OSFL)

T: A loud, spirited, melodious whistle QUICK

note highest, last sliding (P).

N: A trebled PIP-PIP-PIP (P,R); also in two’s 

8

. . . _ 
2. CHEET or CHI-VEET (P); a liquid CHWE

3. WEET, TRIT, WEET, repeated with varia

Violet-green Swallow (VGSW).

N: All calls “drier” in quality than Tree Swallow, n

(FO);

1. A thin CHIP or CHIT-CHIT (P).

2. A rapid CHIT-CHIT-CHIT WHEET WHEE

3. A twitter (P).

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow (NRSW)

N: A harsh TRRIT (P); a rough, rasping, rather n

repeated several times (F).

Barn Swallow (BASW)

N: 1. A soft BIT or KVIK-KVIK-, VIT-VIT (P).

2. A long musical twitter interspersed with g

Cliff Swallow (CLSW)

N: 1. A low CHUR (P).

2. KEER alarm note (P); a nasal NYEW (F)

3. A series of creaking notes and guttural g

Barn Swallow (P).

Gray Jay (GRJA)

N: 1. A soft WHEE-AH (P); a whistled WHEEO

2. A low CHUK (S).

3. A great variety of other notes, some hars

4. Mimics goshawk (can be impossible to d

owl (pygmy-owl continues whistling mono

keep it up for long) (FO).

c

Steller’s Jay (STJA)

N: 1. A loud SHOOK-SHOOK-SHOOK or SH

(P).

2. KWESH KWESH KWESH (P); slower tha

coarse (FO).

3. Many other notes (P).

4. Mimics hawks (P).

5. Sometimes taps on trees, sounding like 

(FO).

! __- .

.:. - .

. .* ,. -..;

!
3. Harsh CHECK-CHECK-CHECK-CHECK 

Common Raven (CORA)

N: 1. Very hoarse, low-pitched croaking note

(F).

2. KLOO-KLOK (U); a hollow, wooden kno

3. A metallic TOK (P).

4. A variety of other sounds (FO).

American Crow (AMCR)

N: A loud CAW or CAH or KAHR (P); given sin

Black-capped Chickadee (BCCH)

T: A clear whistle, FEE-BEE, first note higher 

sometimes 3 notes FEE-BEE-EE, first note 

N: 1. CHICK-A-DEE-DEE or DEE-DEE-DEE 

2. SIBIT and other short notes similar to 

dee but with “black-cap quality” (FO).

Chestnut-backed Chickadee (CBCH)

N: 1. TSICK-I-SEE-SEE or ZHEE-CHE-CHE, 

than Blackcapped Chickadee (P).

2. A harsh ZEE or ZZE-ZZE (P).

3. SK-DIP or SIBIT often repeated rapidly 

3 times, not as hoarse or buzzy as abo

4. A short TSIP, similar in qualify to call n

can be confused with notes of Golden

a slight two-syllable effect or roll (FO).

5. A high-pitched, clear, fast series of not

Goldencrowned Kinglet and Brown Cr

clarity of either (FO).

6. A high-pitched, creeperlike note, desce

and lasting about 1 second, repeated 

(FO).

Mountain Chickadee (MOCH)

T: Three high, clear whistled notes, FEE-BEE

next two on same pitch, or 3 to 4 notes goi

tones (P).

N: TSICK-A-ZEE-ZEE-ZEE, hoarser than Bla

stower, more nasal than Chestnut-backed, 

10

._
White-breasted Nuthatch (WBNU)

T: A series of low, nasal, whistled notes on th

WHI, etc., or WHO, WHO, WHO, etc. (P); 

WHAT (F).

N: 1. A nasal YANK (P); lower in pitch and 

breasted Nuthatch.

2. A nasal TOOTOO (P).

3. Low, nasal AWH, AWH, notes single o

like a distant crow (FO).

Red-breasted Nuthatch (RBNU)

N: 1. A nasal ANK or ENK, higher in pitch 

breasted, often repeated at 70 to 120 

extremely variable, difficult to judge d

2. Light twittering notes with a musical, n

3. Foraging sounds are similar to the so

(FO).

Y

Brown Creeper (BRCR)

T: A thin, sibilant SEE-II-WEE-TU-WEE (P); 

SEE SEE SEE-O-WHEE SEE-0-WHEET, 

with 1 three-syllable note at end, usually w

beginning (FO).

N: 1. A single, double, or triple SSEEE, hig

tone, similar to Golden-crowned Kingl

(like double beeps of electronic digita

with a slightly piercing quality (FO).

2. Very light notes similar in quality to ca

softer, often jumbled into a twitter, ex

number 2 as kinglet (FO).

3. Series of notes given in rapid succes

like a small bell ringing (FO).

House Wren (HOWR)

b

T: Stuttering and gurgling song, rising in a b

a hurried descending TSEE-TSEE, WHE

WHEEDLE, WIDDLE-WIDDLE-WIDDLE, s

upward slurred CHUR-WEE (L).

N: 1. A rapid churring note (P); a loud TRR

often doubled, sounds somewhat like 

teeth of a comb, often given as introd

I- - _.

. . . . - y..
often ends on a very high light trill (P).

N: 1. A low, double TICK-TICK (R); not alw

has a dry has a dry quality, also des

CHICK, may shrink these notes toge

chatter or trill (FO).

A soft rattle, suggesting a wrentit, bu

more drawn out (FO).

2.

3. Wiry SEEEE. SEEEE, etc., repeated 

by juveniles, slight roughness and re

guish it from Brown Creeper (FO).

Bewick’s Wren (BEWR)

T: Variable, high opening notes, followed by 

on a thin trill, suggests Song Sparrow, on

CHEEEEEE (first and second notes high

version is a bright SISTER, SWEET, SW

PINK, BZURP, TEA-TEA-TEA-TEA-TEA 

N: 1. A harsh long drawn-out buzz (U); a 

2. Harsh, loud chattering ratchet, loude

3. Harsh VIT, VIT. VIT (U); sharp WHIT

Wrentlt (WREN)

T: Staccato ringing notes of one pitch, start

into a trill, YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-Y

R-R-R (P);. female song is untrilled single 

intervals, speeding toward end, speed an

N: A low, rattlelike, churring noise (F); a cha

American Robin (AMRO)

T: Clear caroling, short phrases, rising and 

10 whistled phrases of 3 to 4 notes (R); 

Western Tanager; more rapid than Solita

and fluent than Black-headed Grosbeak; 

(FO).

N: 1. A loud TYEEP (P).

2. TUT-TUT-TUT (P).

3. A chattering, gutteral series of WISK 

4. A wisking SEE-LIP (U); sometimes h

given in flight, suggests Cedar Waxw

distinct, not slurred together in a ser

12
(FO).

. Loud, harsh, unmusical rattle when distu

. Drawn-out whistled hums similar to song 

tion, less emphatic, less musical, sometim

(FO).

Hermit Thrush (HETH)

., -_ T: Clear, ethereal, and flutelike phrases on diffe

phrase preceded by a long introductory note 

between each phrase (P).

N: 1. A low CHUCK (P); similar to Varied Thru

and more forceful, sharper (P).

2. A nasal WHREEEE, rising in pitch, sugg

Towhee, but shriller, with a double tone 

Swainson’s Thrush (SWTH)

T: Melodious, breezy, flutelike phrases, distingu

each phrase to climb upward (P); spirals upw

N: 1. WHIT (P); short, sharp, whistled with a 

2. A clear loud whistle, longer in duration th

slightly rising in inflection, identical to op

occasionally ending in a rolling rattle or 

Townsend’s Solitaire (TOSO)

T: A long warble similar to Black-headed Grosb

(P); phrases of song run together, a few buz

in grosbeak song, usually longer in duration 

suggests Purple Finch but longer, with more 

N: A single piping note (R); bell-like HEEP, sugg

pitch-piped, weaker, higher pitched, sometime

times per minute (FO).

Western Bluebird (WEBL)

T: A warble (F); FEW FEW FAWEE (S); sung o

N: 1. PHEW (U); slightly descending in pitch, 

springy quality (FO).

2. A hard chattering note (P).

3. A harsh CHUCK (U,F).
g, (

and then running into a descendin

be confused at a distance with Ch

but lighter in quality (FO).

N: 1. A high, wiry SEE-SEE-SEE (P

to creeper but less piercing, w

and without pure tone of Brow

2. Very light SEE notes, very sho

twitter, very difficult to distingu

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (RCKI)

T: Quite loud, 3 to 4 high notes, seve

TEE TEE, TEW TEW TEW, TI-DA

variable (P); hesitant start of single 

3-note gallop (FO).

N: 1. A husky JI-DIT (P); reminiscen

but lighter in quality (FO).

2. A continuous light chatter simi

Cedar Waxwing (CEWA)

N: A high, thin lisp or ZEEE, sometim

thin monotone, generally with a sli

from Brown Creeper, robin has sim

slurred together and of longer dura

Hutton’s Vireo (HUVI)

T: 1. XI-WEEP, with rising inflectio

(P); sometimes more like BAL

usually repeated monotonously

Wood-pewee but shorter, sha

distinctly P-noted (FO).

2. A descending buzzy DZEOO, 

repeated.

N: 1. A thin, rising WHEEZZZ or W

what wavering quality (FO).

2. A low CHIT; weak VHIT or W

headed Grosbeak call (FO).

3. A hoarse, deliberate DAY-DEE

4. A clear, whistled TEE-O-WHE

but more musical, first syllable 

14
sided Towhee, but buzzier, higher in 

Solitary Vireo (SOVI)

T: Short, whistled phrases, with rising and f

with a short wait between phrases (P); s

conversational, as if asking a question, t

ZEEYOO, etc. (FO).

N: Harsh scold note (F); harsh CHR, CHR, C

Warbling Vireo (WAVI)

T: A languid warble, suggests Purple Finch, 

burry undertone (P); slower than finch, al

notes in phrases to give an up-anddown 

song, TI-DI-DUMP TI-DI-DUMP rhythm (F

N: 1. Soft VIT (U); suggests Black-headed 

2. A soft, wheezy, querulous TWEE (P)

3. A monotone buzz, DZZZZZZ increas

with dry, somewhat buzzy chips, CHT 

4. A harsh ratchetlike rattle, may slightly 

pitch (FO).

Orange-crowned Warbler (OCWA)

T: A weak, colorless trill, dropping in energy 

pitch, rising, then dropping (P); suggests 

for changes in pitch and volume (FO).

N: 1. A sharp STICK (U).

2. A high, thin SEET (FO).

Nashville Warbler (NAWA)

Yellow Warbler (YEWA)

T: A cheerful, bright TSEE-TSEE-TSEE-TSE

variable (P); usually 3 to 4 well-spaced T

more rapid SIlTA-SlITA-SITTA-SEE (F); 

I’M SO SWEET (FO).

N: A sharp CHIP or CHIK (L).

j

,.j - -

I

--

T: Two-parted SEEBIT, SEEBIT, SEEBIT, S

like Chipping Sparrow’s song in rapid trill) 

times omitted (R); alternate descriptions o

SWEETA. SWEET, TEE-TU and WEE-TA

and SWEET (FO).

N: Short, not very sharp, tonal CHIP, similar 

Warbler but lighter (FO). I

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Black-throated Gray Warbler (BGW

T: Two basic types

1. Most common type in Was

ZEE-A, ZEE-A, ZEE-A, ZE

WEE-ZY WEE-ZY (-WEET)

phrase a step higher than 

Warblers sometime have ri

steplike character (FO).

2. Much more rapid, usually b

most common type in north

ZEEDLE-ZEEDLE-ZEEDLE

the ZEEDLE’s very fast, oft

longer in duration, more di

always opens with ZEEDLE

number and pattern of end

guish from Hermit and Tow

N: 1. A sharp CHIP almost identi

2. A dull CHUT. intermediate 

Townsend’s (FO).

Hermit Warbler (HEWA)

T: Pattern and cadence highly va

throated Gray and Townsend’s 

common, fast and slow.

1. Fast type, mostly buuy, ty

phrase, an accented note, 

clear tone ZEEDLE-ZEE

or ZEE-ZEE-ZEE-ZOO-CHU

part variable, sometimes w

2. Slow type, not as buzzy, 

WHEETOWHIT, slightly fas

N: A weak, nonbuzzy CHIP or TS

(FO).

16
sometimes sing a type very similar or 

(FO)

N: CHIT or TSIP (L); almost identical to h

Hermit and Townsend’s Warblers (HETO

These two hybridize commonly in the Casc

Washington. Their songs are usually buzzy

indistinguishable in the area of overlap. The 

2-note ending has been noted as diagnostic 

some authors, but at least in much of Was

ern Cascade Range), the Townsend’s Warb

Conversely, Hermit Warblers have been se

Townsend’s type that rises throughout. For 

of overlap, we have lumped the two specie

because of the impossibility of identification 

difficulty of seeing them well enough to dis

types (FO)

Common Yellowthroat (COYE)

T: A rapid WITCHITY-WITCHITY-WITCH

WICHY rather than WITCHITY (R).

N: A husky TCHEP (P).

MacGilllvray’s Warbler (MGWA)

T: A rolling CHIDDLE-CHIDDLE-CHIDDL

SWEETER-SWEETER-SWEETER-SUG

pitch on last 2 notes sometimes just W

N:

buzzy, very liquid, distinctly two-parted

Lout TlK, sharper than most other war

other warblers in region (FO).

Wilson’s Warbler (WIWA)

T: A thin rapid little chatter dropping in p

CHICHI-CHETCHET (P); distinct sharp 

N:

ates toward end as well as dropping in 

A soft TIMP (U); like a sweet kissing s

Winter Wren’s notes, but almost never 

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3. CHEE-LI, CHEE-LIP, very for

Black-headed Grosbeak (BHGR)

T: Rising and falling passages, resem

fluent and mellow (P), faster and 

together more than robin’s or tana

gives impression of drunk robin, s

buzzy notes, slower and shorter t

(FO)

N: 1. Hard, sharp SPIK (F).

2. Plaintive WHEE or WHEE-YO

Lazull Bunting (LABU)

T: High and strident, well-measured 

introductory notes usually paired 

etc. (P); resembles song of Ameri

4-note phrase followed by a 2-not

2 down, 3 up, 2 down (FO).

N: 1. Sharp TSIP (P).

2. A dry buzz, ZZZD (FO).

Rufous-sided Towhee (RSTO)

T: 1. Drawn-out buzzy CHWEEEEE

single preceding chip discern

end like a sigh (FO).

2. A series of musical notes on 

the many Bewick’s Wren son

quality to song number 1, bu

together.

N: 1. CHWEE or SHRENK (P); bu

inflection (FO).

2. A soft, buzzy BZZZT (FO).

Green-tailed Towhee (GTTO)

T: Variable, confused with Fox Spar

sweet notes, ending in long burry 

CHURRR (P); often begins with 2 

followed by a jumble of short, bu

and calls of neighboring species 

18
T: A dry rattle on one pitch (P); an inse

Junco, but faster and less musical (F

N: A faint TSIP (L); weak, slightly asce

notes (FO).

Fox Sparrow (FOSP)

T: Brilliant musical song usually begins 

followed by a sliding note, SWEET S

CHILLIP, etc., arrangement varies (P

Towhee, some songs end with a C

PPPPPEW, the last note a cutoff, d

song) (FO).

N: 1. A loud, dry CHEK (P); similar in 

much heavier, lower (FO).

2. TSEET (L); ascending in pitch l

Sparrow (FO).

Song Sparrow (SOSP)

T: A variable series of notes, some mu

starts with 3 to 4 bright repetition no

(P); typically 3 to 4 short, clear note

then a trill (FO).

N: 1. Low nasal TCHEP (P); CHIMP 

2. A soft SEET (L).

Golden-crowned Sparrow (GCSP)

T: Three high whistled notes of plaintiv

the scale, sometimes a faint final trill 

N: TSEET (U); slightly ascends in pitch

crowned Sparrows (FO).

White-crowned Sparrow (WCSP)

T: One or more plaintive or wheezy wh

followed by a husky trill or series of 

geographically, has a lazy feeling to 

western Oregon 2 long introductory 

3-note oscillation YOU...SEE...PRET

N: 1. A loud PINK (P).

2. TSEET note similar to Golden-c

,. 

.
20

:_

Red-wlnged Blackblrd (RWBL)

T: A liquid, gurgling 0-KA-LAY or 0-KA-

N: 1. A loud CHECK (P): CHACK (S).

2. High, slurred TEE-ERR (P).

Brewer’s Blackbird (BRBL)

T: A harsh, wheezy WUE-EE or KSH-EE

hinge (P).

N: Harsh CHECK (P); CHUCK (R).

Brown-headed Cowbird (BHCO)

T: Bubbly and creaky, GLUG-GLUG-GLE

heavy trill on one pitch (FO).

N: 1. Flight call WEEE-TITI, high whist

2. CHUCK (P).

3. A rattling (U) or chattering call (F

4. A soft TSIP (U).

Northern Oriole (NOOR)

T: A loud series of whistles CHUCKY, C

WHEEW (U); a series of accented do

notes (P).

N: 1. A sharp SKIP (P); a clear, sweet 

2. A grating chatter (F).

Purple Finch (PUFI)

T: Fast, lively warble, resembles House 

disjointed (P); sounds very hurried, n

and run together into one long phras

but faster (FO).

N: 1. Dull. metallic TICK (P).

2. A musical HUR-LEE (S); someti

LEEP (FO).
Red Crossblll (RECR)

N: 1. A hard JIP-JIP or JIP-JIP-JIP (P);

2. Musical WINK or YENK similar to 

bill, often in series, usually when 

Nonterritorial “song” JIP-JIP-JIP-JE

series of whistles, trills, or warbles

notes, CHIP-CHIP-CHIP, JEEA-JE

JEE-JEE (F); JEEAA often ascend

scratchy, clear, or musical (FO).

White-winged Crossblll (WWCR)

N: 1. A dry CHIF-CHIF (P); usually in 2

but lighter, not so hard, with drier 

interpretations are CHET and ZIP 

2. WINK-WINK-WINK (F); given sing

number, also described as YENK

similar Red Crossbill notes (FO).

3. Soft twittering nasal notes, ENK-E

Red-breasted Nuthatch (FO).

4. “Song” is a succession of loud tri

Pine Siskin (PISI)

N: 1. A rising, buzzy SHHHRREEEE (U

2. A light TIT-I-TIT (P).

3. A scratchy SHICK, SHICK (U).

4. A loud CLEE-IP (P).

5. A series of wheezy, very short no

8. “Song” is a long, rapid jumble of 

quality, loud forceful, rising ZZZH

(F); similar to American Goldfinch 

wheezy (P).

Lesser Goldfinch (LEGO)

T: Musical, notes often paired, more phr

finch’s (P) and more scratchy (R); sw

upslurred notes (F).

N: 1. Sweet, plaintive notes, either rising 

falling inflection, TEE-YER (P).

2. Plain JEE or EE-EE (F).

_‘. ~ ;. . ..::-.-: --- .-. i

.._. :
twitters, and SWEE notes (S).

N: 1. PER-CHICK-O-REE in flight (R); TI

2. A sweet, whining CHI-EE (F); SIWE

Evening Grosbeak (EVGR)

N: 1. A ringing CLEER (P); a clear PEER

flocks so it sounds jumbled, sometim

mixed in (FO).

2. A soft, clicking note (FO).

3. A short warble (P,L); a wandering, j

infrequently heard (FO).

Vocalizations of several species of mammals 

of birds. The abundance of Douglas squirrels 

counting their calls.

Chipmunk (Tamias spp.)

N: A short, sharp, slightly musical, SPWIK, 

often repeated at 1- to 2-second interva

Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasi

T: A rattle or chatter similar to that of the H

longer, more musical, not as sharp, ofte

volume (FO).

N: Hollow-sounding, slightly musical short n

number 1, each one starting sharply, the

volume, often repeated endlessly at abo

Comparisons Among Similar Species

NOGO KAK: high-pitched, shrill, forcefu

COHA KE: low-pitched, not shrill

SSHA KIK: high-pitched, shrill, weak

MOQU WOOK? or TO-WOOK?: 4- to 9

when close, hollow

NPOW HOO:1- to 2-second intervals, w

TOSO HEEP: single or 30 to 40 per m

pitched

22
I

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-. ;.

. . . :r _. ,r I-- 2: .- . . . . . . -.-.

‘,i . . .

HAWO

DOWO

HAFL

DUFL

WWPE

HUVI

BCCH

MOCH

BCCH

CBCH

MOCH

WBNU

RBNU

BRCR

GCKI

AMRO

TOSO

SOVI

WETA

BHGR

VATH

HEM

, , , , 

rattle does not descend, faster

whinny descends, slower, quickens 

song hoarser, more emphatic, mid

richer, lacks DEEEW-WHIP! call

song lighter, drier, middle note les

call distinctive

ZHUWEE: longer, less sharp, more 

end, 1 slurred note

ZU-WEEP: shorter, sharper, less n

P-noted effect

2- or 3-note whistle

3- or 4-note whistle

CHICK-A-DEE-DEE: clear, slower

TSICK-I-SEE-SEE or ZHEE-CHE-C

nasal

ZICK-A-DYA-DYA: hoarse, slower, 

YANK: lower, less nasal

ANK or ENK: higher, more nasal

SSEEE: pure tone, clear, usually s

piercing

SEE: wiry, slightly buzzy, less pie

series

medium speed, clear, phrases dis

most rapid, longest duration, phra

except for a few buzzes and sho

slowest, phrases separated by pa

rapid, hoarse, burry, phrases distin

rapid, phrases run together, fluent

drunk-robin effect

KYUP: tower, less forceful

CHEK: higher, more forceful

-- ----_ -- -.-. 

. _.

-8 --‘--...‘, . .
RSTO

CHSP

DEJU

BGWA

HEWA

TOWA

RECR

WWCR

musical, trails off at end like a s

chip preceding

unmusical, fast, no change in pit

musical, slower, no change in pi

refer to detailed descriptions, ve

variable

KIP or JIP: hard, not buzzy

CHIF, CHET or ZIP: light, dry, b

Literature Cited3

(A) American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. 

can birds. 6th ed. [Location of publisher u

(B) Beebe, F.L 1974. Field studies of the F

Columbia. Victoria, BC: British Columbia 

(D) Davis, J.; Fisher, G.F.; Davis, B.S. 1963

the western flycatcher. Condor. 65: 337-3

(F) Farrand, J., Jr., ed. 1983. The Audubon 

birding. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 3 vol.

(H) Heinstzelman, Donald D. 1982. A guide 

America. London; Univ. Park, PA: Keysto

State University Press. 284 p.

(L) Larrison, Earl J.; Sonnenberg, Klaus G

their location and identification. Seattle: S

258 p.

(M) Marshall, David B. 1988. Status of the 

America with special emphasis on popula

and Washington. Biol. Rep. 88(30). [Loca

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 19 p.

3

 Letters in parentheses preceding the

citations are the codes used in the text.

24




,;,.,’ 7i ,‘Ti. “_,

_. .

-.

.

7.

‘..(_

:..‘

‘_

.:

-.. ‘. . _

Carey, Andrew B.; Castellano, Valen E.; C

Robert: Lundquist, Richard W.; Marcot

Sullivan, Paul tech. comps. 1990. Traini

cation in Pacific Northwest Douglas-fir for

GTR-260. Portland, OR: U.S. Department 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 28 p.

Bird calls and songs vary regionally, and som

Existing guides are inadequate for training ob

bird communities, because more than 90 per

by the sounds they emit.

This guide summarizes existing guides and a

pilers and other technicians who participated 

codes for species names, taken from the Am

included. A checklist by region (southern Wa

Oregon Coast Ranges, and northwestern Ca

fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) for

Cascade Range completes th guide.

Keywords: Bird calls, Pacific Northwest, Dou

The Forest Service of the U.S. Departme

Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of 

use management of the Nation’s forest res

for sustained yields of wood, water, forage

and recreation. Through forestry research,

cooperation with the States and private fo

owners, and management of the National 

and National Grasslands, it strives - as d

Congress - to provide increasingly greate

to a growing Nation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an 

Opportunity Employer. Applicants for all D

programs will be given equal consideration 

regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, or 

origin.

Pacific Northwest Research Station

319 S.W. Pine St.

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, Oregon 97208-3890

---. . .

..-
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Pacific Northwest Research Station

319 S.W. Pine street

P.O. Box 3890

Portland. Oregon 97208

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use, $300

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do NOT detach